newbie to cichlids

[BWilson]

OK- I've been keeping a 55 gal for about 5 yrs with angels, silver dollars and gouramis. Decided I want to get into cichlids. I need to learn everything about them- who lives with who, water hardness, ph, etc. evterything! I don't even know who eats live and who eats flakes/pellets. My only experience with cichlids is the angels and a couple of oscars. My tropicals have already been rehomed, except for the neons (little buggers are hard to catch- lol) and the aquarium is still set up - so where do I learn more! BTW- I'm new to the site too and this is my first post!

[ibr3ak]

Check here, tell us what you like:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/african_cichlid_genus_gallery.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/new_world_cichlid_genus_gallery.php

Also, here's a cookie cutter for a 55:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php

[BWilson]

These are some of the fish I was interested in (Thanks for the links!):

Electric Yellow (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=1) , Cobalt Blue Zebra (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=7) ,Red Zebra (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=17) , Orange Johanni (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=84) , Red Top Zebra (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=18) ,
Yellow Fin Mbamba (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=34) , Socolofi (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=25) , Saulosi Taiwan Reef (http://livefishdirect.com/store.php?fid=27)

I am set up with standard natural colored gravel on an undergravel filter, HOB filters are Whisper 60 and a Whisper 20-40. Heater and air of course. Other than coming up with a way to make my water "harder". We have well water that is hard, but we use a water softener. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. BTW- I still have my neons, cory cats (2) and a pleco in the tank. These ok?

[toddnbecka]

Neons and cory cats won't live long with African cichlids. What kind of pleco?

[gratleop]

Neons and cory cats won't live long with African cichlids. What kind of pleco?

hes right.:perv: an also fun fact would be good to know when starting a chiclid tank is never mix africans with others its a bad idea. i have electic yellows also and i have him in with some blue aceis there a great match together and seem to like each other i recomend this. others that would go good with electrics would probably be mbunas

[BWilson]

I figured the neons would get eaten if they're not removed, but I didn't think the cats would be a problem nor the pleco (common pleco). All the listed fish I put up were listed at Live Fish Direct under the Lake Malawi Mbuna Cichlid tab so I assumed they were all OK to put together. Am I wrong? How about the under gravel filter? Is that OK - I noticed that the pictures of many of your aquariums show no under gravel filter.

[toddnbecka]

I use UG filters in most of my tanks, they're fine if you have sufficient flow to prevent debris from building up under the filter plates. As for stocking, mbuna and yellow Lab's should be fine together. I wouldn't recommend more than 3 species of cichlids, with 1 male and several females of each as the ideal ratio. Swap off the neons, cory cats, and common pleco (commons grow way too large for a 55) for a Synodontis catfish. Not the common upside-down (S. nigriventris) variety, but a larger species would be alright. Avoid S. decorus; they're social fish, and even one will outgrow a 55.

[jpappy789]

I agree with what toddnbecka has said. Absolutely no tetras or corys for malawis.

With the UG filter, just make sure the plates are durable enough to withstand the weight of any rockwork. It usually isn't a problem, but just be sure.

[tylerk]

I just found a 25 gallon (30x12.5x~12 - they list height as 16" to top of hood) with an AquaTech 20-40 HOB filter and would love to turn it into a Cichlid tank. I really like the colorful ones and particularly liked the Electric Yellow (Yellow Lab) and the Yellow Fin Mbamba. Is this Mbamba a Mbuna - somebody mentioned the Mbunas being compatible with the Yellow Labs. In general, is it okay to put different labs with each other, granted with enough floor space?

I also found some 26-gallon bow front set ups for pretty cheap as well. I don't like the floor plan as much, but those might be better deals. Of course, the 25 gallon long tank would be my first choice, but are there any suggestions/assistance for which would be better and which would be fine with 2 or 3 (if possible) dwarf cichlid varieties for a pretty viewing aquarium?

Thanks in advance.

[tylerk]

Just want to clarify as I just read the dimensions again - it looks like the guy is trying to squeeze an extra 5 gallons out of a 20L. Good to know now...

[SubRosa]

I can't think of any cichlid that won't eat flakes/pellets, including some natural piscivores like Dimidiochromis compressiceps, and Altolamprologous compressiceps and calvus. Live feeders are too risky for cichlids unless you breed them yourself or get the from a fellow aquarist. Store bought feeders are definitely a no-no for Cichlids.

[aquanooby]

I'm
curious why they are a no no ?

[ibr3ak]

There's no telling what disease the lfs feeders could be carrying, especially when crammed and with fish dying in the same tank throughout the day.

[aquanooby]

gotcha now i get it

[austinpetemo]

i know this goes against what has been said by others but afc cichlids can be kept with cory cats. but it is NOT recommended. it all depends on the individual fish.

and example (i forget whose it was) had a 30g with a pair of julidochromis ornatus with glowlight tetras and corys. no issues. but that may not be the case with any pair. like i said, it all depends on the species as well as the individual fish.

[jpappy789]

Ornatus are probably the most docile of all julis, so some individuals may not have a problem but I would not bet on it...